Welcoming the New Year with live music as the first sunrise of the year breaks over the horizon is a big part of what makes Rhythm and Vines special. Held in Gisborne, New Zealand, this festival draws music fans ready for days of performances, camping and late-night celebrations.
Getting the most out of the experience takes a little planning, from choosing a campsite and sorting transport to knowing what to pack. If you’re travelling from overseas, explore New Zealand eSIM options for a Gisborne trip to stay connected.
Rhythm and Vines 2026 Dates and Location
The main festival runs from 29–31 December 2026. Onsite camping begins on 28 December, with the campers-only Waiohika Warmup. Please remember that the event is strictly 18+.
| Planning Detail | Confirmed Information |
| Main festival | 29–31 December 2026 |
| Onsite camping | Four nights, 28–31 December |
| Waiohika Warmup | 28 December; onsite campers only |
| Venue | Waiohika Estate, Tairāwhiti/Gisborne |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Departure day | 1 January 2027 |
Choose a campground-specific camping/festival pass for access from 28 December. Festival-only tickets exclude camping and the warm-up.
Your destination is Gisborne, New Zealand, on the North Island’s east coast. Waiohika Estate sits outside the city, so accommodation and festival entrances require separate journey planning.
The 2026 edition is the final festival at Waiohika Estate. Relocation is planned for the following year, with the replacement location undisclosed.
Rhythm and Vines Lineup for 2026
Confirmed performers include John Summit, KI/KI, Netsky, BENEE, Vince Staples, Sir Dave Dobbyn, Luude, Mall Grab and Friction presents Synergy. The roster combines electronic music with hip-hop and live performances. The official 2026 line-up provides the complete current artist list.
Hamdi is announced for the Waiohika Warmup on 28 December. That performance requires on-site camping access.
For a single-day purchase, establish the artist’s performance date before paying. The full roster does not guarantee that a particular performer appears on your chosen day. Among New Zealand music festivals, R&V’s additional campers-only night makes this distinction especially important.
Which Rhythm and Vines Ticket Do You Need?
Choose your sleeping arrangement before selecting Rhythm and Vines tickets.
- Three-day festival pass: entry on all main festival days; no camping or warm-up.
- Single-day festival pass: entry on the selected day; no camping or warm-up.
- Campground-specific camping/festival pass: main festival, four camping nights and warm-up; equipment is separate.
A tent add-on or VIP upgrade does not replace an entry pass. Every tent occupant needs the matching campground pass.
Current Ticket Prices
| Product | Release | Price | Status |
| Three-day festival pass | Final | NZ$467.08 | Selectable |
| 29 December festival pass | Single day | NZ$189.12 | Selectable |
| 30 December festival pass | Single day | NZ$189.12 | Selectable |
| 31 December festival pass | Single day | NZ$231.33 | Selectable |
| Meadow camping/festival pass | First | NZ$539.15 | Selectable |
| Rhythm camping/festival pass | Final | NZ$611.21 | Selectable |
Prices include displayed ticket fees. A further NZ$4.20 transaction fee applies per order. Use the selectable release and final checkout total. Historical early-bird prices do not establish the current cost.
Camping Gold or Festival VIP?
Gold camping upgrades add dedicated amenities and express access for eligible campers. Current Meadow and Rhythm products offer their own Gold upgrades; select the one matching your campground.
Vintage Club VIP adds festival viewing platforms, premium bars and upgraded restroom facilities. It does not provide camping or festival admission. Choose upgrades around the facilities you will use, rather than assuming one premium product includes everything.
Camping or Staying in Gisborne?
Camping gives you on-site accommodation access and the warm-up with the correct pass. Offsite accommodation provides a separate place to recover, but creates a daily transport commitment.
Compare Meadow and Rhythm Camp
| Feature | Meadow | Rhythm |
| Position | Behind Rhythm Stage and the bar | Between Cellar Stage, Vines Village and Rhythm Stage |
| Pre-pitched options listed | Two-person nylon and four-person Bellbird tents | Two-person nylon tent |
| Gold upgrade | Campground-specific option | Campground-specific option; facilities located in Meadow |
| Practical advantage | Lower checked pass price and a larger listed tent option | Different position within the site |
The Rhythm pass costs NZ$72.06 more per person, calculated from the listed totals. Meadow is the stronger starting point when reducing the pass cost or seeking the listed four-person tent option. Rhythm’s additional cost buys a different campground position, without guaranteeing better sleep.
Showers and toilets are available, with facilities varying by campground and upgrade. Everyone wanting to camp together needs the same campground-specific pass; arrive together.
Passes-and-Tent Subtotal for Two People
| Component | Cost |
| Two Meadow first-release camping/festival passes | NZ$1,078.30 |
| One eligible two-person nylon tent, including displayed fees | NZ$86.48 |
| One transaction fee | NZ$4.20 |
| Calculated subtotal | NZ$1,168.98 |
This assumes one order and unchanged allocations. Add flights, transfers, bedding, baggage, meals and any upgrades separately.
The nylon tent includes setup and pack-down, but excludes bedding. Its footprint is 2.05 m × 2.05 m, so allow for luggage.
For your own camping setup, air mattresses are permitted and foam mattresses are prohibited. For the nylon add-on, the conservative choice is a sleeping bag or duvet and pillow without an additional mattress, because its product wording is more restrictive.
Staying Offsite or Bringing a Campervan
Compare central Gisborne accommodation against the Fitzherbert Street and i-Site return stops. For Wainui, establish the final journey from Okitu Store.
Sleeping in cars or campervans in the festival carpark is prohibited. There are no onsite campervan facilities. Book an offsite campervan park and festival transport separately.
Getting to Gisborne and Waiohika Estate
Flights and Your 28 December Arrival
Nonstop domestic services connect Auckland and Wellington with Gisborne Airport. Typical flight durations are 1 hour 5 minutes from Auckland and 1 hour 15 minutes from Wellington.
Compare international arrival, domestic connection, baggage collection and onward transport together. Route availability does not guarantee seats on your chosen dates.
For warm-up arrival:
- Arrange airport-to-site transport with room for your equipment.
- Give the driver your campground booking details.
- Use the current festival map and arrival instructions for the designated drop-off.
- Keep your passport, ticket and add-on confirmations accessible.
- Allow time to carry equipment, complete screening and set up.
Campground check-in on 28 December runs from 9.30 am to 9 pm. Late arrival may leave you waiting until the next check-in window. Do not plan to reach the entrance at closing time.
Festival Buses and Return Stops
Bus pass sales are scheduled to open on 14 October 2026, so plan to secure yours once bookings become available.
| Festival Day | Published Service Window |
| 29 December | 1.30 pm–2 am the following morning |
| 30 December | 1.30 pm–2 am the following morning |
| 31 December | 1.30 pm–6 am on 1 January |
These are operating windows, not guaranteed departure times or frequencies.
Outbound pickups include Fitzherbert Street, the city i-Site, Okitu Store, Kaiti School, Gisborne Girls High School and Lytton West Shops. Returns unload at only Fitzherbert Street, the i-Site and Okitu Store.
Arrange 28 December transport separately as these services cover the main festival days.
Driving and Departure
Vehicles cannot park beside campsites. Use the designated parking area and carry equipment to your campground.
Save the entrance instructions before setting off, and use our guide to managing Google Maps data usage on a road trip to plan your navigation without using more mobile data than necessary.
Campgrounds close at 4 pm on 1 January, allowing time to rest before departure. Avoid pairing the overnight programme with an immediate long drive.
If you have extra time after the festival, our two-week New Zealand road trip itinerary can help you plan the next leg around your accommodation and vehicle bookings.
Packing, Entry and Payments
Australian visitors should bring a valid physical passport. Accepted identification includes passports, New Zealand driver licences and Kiwi Access Cards. Your ticket name must match your identification.
Pack:
- Downloaded ticket and booking confirmations.
- Charged phone, power bank and cable.
- Sunscreen, hat, rain layer and suitable footwear.
- Empty drink bottle and hearing protection.
- Permitted camping equipment and bedding.
Campsite pitches are unpowered, so bring enough stored charging capacity for your stay.
Campground food allowances do not apply inside the arena. BYO alcohol, glass, cooking equipment and gas bottles are prohibited onsite. Check the latest rules and Gisborne forecast, and use our guide to New Zealand weather by season to plan what to pack for summer.
Onsite purchases use a Wayver wristband. The first top-up attracts a NZ$5 fee. Cash and cards can fund the wristband at Festival Banks, but you cannot pay vendors directly.
Your Festival Plan and Connectivity
Use 28 December for check-in and setup. Across the main festival days, leave room between sets for meals, weather breaks and rest. Prepare your return journey before New Year’s Eve, then pack and depart after adequate sleep.
Save tickets, maps and transport bookings offline, and agree on a recognisable meeting point with a backup. If you plan to coordinate with friends through WhatsApp, knowinghow much data WhatsApp uses can help you estimate your data needs for the festival.
If using a travel data plan, select it for mobile data and disable data roaming on your home SIM. Follow device-specific instructions before departure. Crowded-site reception can delay messages, so keep the meeting plan usable offline.
FAQs
Does a Festival Pass Include Camping?
Festival-only passes exclude camping and the warm-up. Choose a campground-specific camping/festival pass for onsite accommodation access.
What ID Do Australian Visitors Need?
Bring a valid physical passport with a name matching your ticket. An Australian driver licence is outside the listed accepted forms.
Can You Stay in Gisborne Instead?
Yes. Book accommodation and transport both ways. Your return stop may differ from the outbound pickup.
Can You Return to Your Campsite During the Festival?
Onsite campers can take campsite breaks. A late-night one-way-door policy prevents return to the festival after the applicable cutoff.
Can You Sleep in a Campervan at R&V?
No. Sleeping in vehicles in the festival carpark is prohibited. Arrange an off-site campervan stay.
